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Recent Research Reviews Journal

Advancements in Copper Metal Matrix Composites: A Review of Powder Metallurgy Processing Characterization and Properties

Open Access
Published: 12 June, 2026
Pages: 98-114
  • Issac P. , Issac P.
    Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
    Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
  • Hari I. , Hari I.
    UG Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
    UG Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
  • Pradeep R. , Pradeep R.
    UG Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
    UG Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
  • Jose Gladyas K. , Jose Gladyas K.
    UG Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
    UG Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
  • Suvisesam Alwin Singh P. Suvisesam Alwin Singh P.
    UG Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
    UG Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
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How to Cite

P., Issac, Hari I., Pradeep R., Jose Gladyas K., and Suvisesam Alwin Singh P. 2026. “Advancements in Copper Metal Matrix Composites: A Review of Powder Metallurgy Processing Characterization and Properties”. Recent Research Reviews Journal 5 (1): 98-114. https://doi.org/10.36548/rrrj.2026.1.007.
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Keywords

Copper Metal Matrix Composites (Cu-MMCs)
Powder Metallurgy
Mechanical Properties
Microstructure
Wear
Corrosion
Electrical Conductivity

Abstract

In recent times, Copper Metal Matrix Composites (Cu-MMCs) are gaining considerable interest among engineering applications as these find usage in electrical, thermal management and structural components used in automotive, aerospace and electronics industries. This is due to the excellent mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, electrical and thermal conductivity exhibited by the composite. The Powder Metallurgy (PM) method is widely adopted to produce the Cu-MMCs where parameters such as particle size, reinforcement distribution and microstructure can be well controlled and reduced defect incorporation is ensured. The reinforcements widely used are ceramic (SiC, Al₂O₃, TiC, B₄C) and carbon-based (Graphite, CNT, graphene). The Cu-MMCs are characterized by FESEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR and TGA/DSC and their Hardness, Compressive Strength, Electrical Conductivity, wear and Corrosion Resistance is assessed to understand the correlation of processing, microstructure and performance. Key challenges lie in uniform distribution of reinforcements, at interface bonding and a suitable combination between the mechanical and electrical performance while research is needed on optimizing processing and usage of hybrid reinforcements in future to develop high-performance composite.

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